Three Years Later

Crime Sorcière was currently running from the Magic Council. While defeating a dark guild, which had grown to be quite powerful and troublesome, the Magic Council showed up - the Independent Guild still did not know the reason as to why the Council appeared so suddenly.

Since the Council was reformed after the war with Tartarous, these new leaders were determined to make a good name for the Council.

Which obviously meant capturing long-time escaped fugitives.

"There they are!" A Council member shouted, spotting the figures in cloaks running away. "After them!" The army of men proceeded to chase after the group of wanted fugitives, annoying the Independent Guild.

"Can't we just knock them out or something?" Racer suggested, highly annoyed that the Council wouldn't leave them alone.

"Fighting the Council?" Angel scoffed, "Are you crazy?"

"We'd only be sent back to prison." Midnight said, scowling at the thought of going back to prison.

"Well, we've got to get them off our tails somehow." Racer stated.

As the group continued to run, a city could be seen in the distance - a city that the Mages had been to before, yet they do not remember it because it has been so long.

It wasn't until the city sign, which read 'Welcome to Malba,' came into view when Cobra remembered where he was.

"Let's take shelter in that city." He suggested.

"What?" Jellal raised his eyebrows, "The Council will still find us. They're very persistent."

"We don't have a choice." Cobra said, "We can't keep running forever and besides, I know someone in there that can help us."

Jellal took the next few seconds to think over what Cobra had said. True, the group could not run forever - their legs would give out at some point. And if it was true that he knew someone that could be of assistance, then he would gladly accept the help.

"Fine." Jellal finally replied. "We'll seek shelter here."

Cobra couldn't help the grin that spread across his face once it was confirmed that they would be entering, and probably staying, in the city once again.

It had been three years which was far too long.

With the Council right behind them, Crime Sorcière ran into Malba. "Now what?" Meredy asked, panicking.

"Now, we find Cobra's friend." Jellal said.

"Don't worry," Cobra smirked, "she'll come to us." I know you're here. He stated in his thoughts. I could really use your help right now. Continuing to run, he had no doubt that you - (Y/N) the Guardian Phoenix - would come to save him.

The farther Crime Sorcière ran into the city, the more crowded the streets became with Malba's residents. Which was a good thing for the Independent Guild.

Yet, the Council still pursued.

"Cobra, where is this friend of yours?" Racer growled, becoming impatient.

"Shut up." Cobra hissed. How dare the long nosed Mage question your arrival! Surely, you were coming. Right?

Becoming tired of the chase, one of the Councilmen pointed his scepter at the runaway fugitives - it being pointed at their backs. He used his magic to make the weapon glow and since the streets were still crowed with citizens, the people of Malba screamed and scattered away from the Councilmen, afraid of being a victim of the magic.

"Stop!" The man yelled. "Keep running and I'll shoot!"

"Hey man, what are you doing?" Another councilmen asked, "There are innocent civilians around."

"And they're in danger as long as these criminals roam free!"

By now, Crime Sorcière did as they were told and stopped running. But their backs were still turned toward the Council.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're the criminals." A voice said, echoing through the streets. Upon hearing that voice, Cobra instantly knew who it was.

It was you.

Standing on top of a bakery shop where all of the commotion was going on in front of it, you looked down at the street.

"Which one of you said that?" The man with the scepter growled, gathering more magic into his weapon.

You took this as your cue to make an entrance, jumping off of the roof of the bakery and landing on your feet between the Council and Crime Sorcière (who turned around to see who dared to back talk the Magic Council).

"You're-" Jellal's eyes widened as he recognized you.

"A civilian?" The councilman wondered, then he shoved that thought aside. "Out of the way, Lady. Those people behind you are danger-"

You interrupted him by raising a hand. At that moment, the man dropped his scepter (making it stop glowing) and fell to his knees. He was hunched over with one hand around his jeck and one hand on the ground to hold himself up.

The man gasped and coughed as your poison came from his body like mist.

"Thomas!" One of the other councilmen called out to his friend. He was at the poisoned man's side in an instant and was reaching out to touch him.

"I wouldn't touch him if I were you." You informed. "Unless you want to be infected by the poison too."

"Do have any idea what you've done?" The man sneered, angered that you were practically killing his friend. "Attacking a member of the Council is a death sentence!"

"Same rule goes for those who cause trouble in my city." You warned, glaring down at the men.

"Your city?" The man repeated. He glanced around at the residents of this city and saw that they all had their eyes closed, as if having a moment of silence.

"I am the guardian of this city." You stated, "I do not allow any type of violence from outsiders to threaten Malba."

"W-We were only here for the fugitives." The man stated nervously, sensing a dark aura coming from you.

"And my poison is after your friend there." You said, pointing to Thomas who was still on the ground gaging.

"I-If you spare him, we will leave this city." The man offered a deal, which you hoped (for their sake) would be obeyed.

"Fine." You said, lowering your hand. As you did, the poison left Thomas' body and he was able to breathe again.

"Thomas, let's go." His friend said, raising a hand for the rest of the troops to retreat.

"Are you kidding?" Thomas snapped after regaining his breath. "We've come all this way for the world's most wanted fugitives and we're just going to let them get away because some woman asked us to leave!?"

"Some woman?" You raised an eyebrow. "I am far from it, human scum."

"What did you-" Thomas growled, stepping forward toward you.

"We mean no harm." Jellal interrupted, stepping forward as well. "Honestly."

"Yeah, right." Thomas scoffed. "My comrades might be scaredy cats, but I'm not lettin' you guys escape. I've almost got you. The only thing standing in my way is some guardian." He grabbed his scepter and smirked. "Hope you're ready to fight a council member, dollface."

"Thomas-"

"Quiet, Scott."

"I think you should listen to Scott." You suggested.

All of the Councilmen had retreated to the outside of the city except Scott who was waiting for his stubborn friend to give up on Crime Sorcière.

"I bet you would." Thomas growled. His scepter glowed with his magic and he immediately shot a beam toward you. "Take this!"

Jellal moved to intervene, but you stopped him with a signal of the hand. At a rapid speed, you zoomed past Thomas and no one saw you actually attack him. They only saw the damage done afterwards.

You stood behind Thomas, your back facing him, with your right hand raised slightly and covered with your poison mist. Your nails were sharper than normal, almost like a dragon's claw.

Thomas, on the other hand, had a large open gash on the left side of his abdomen. Blood poured out immediately, causing the male to groan in pain and drop his scepter once again.

"C'mon." Scott mumbled, helping his friend stand without wobbling. He also grabbed Thomas' scepter and helped him walk out of city limits.

The residents of Malba cheered for you, their guardian. Jellal ran up behind you and gave his own thanks, "Thanks for the assistance."

"Just answering a call." You replied and when he gave you a confused look, you elaborated. "Cobra called out to me. Said he needed help."

"I see." Jellal nodded with a smirk.

Each member of Crime Sorcière came up to you and thanked you in their own way. The last to approach you was obviously Cobra. He wanted to speak to you privately, so he told his friends that he was going somewhere and that they should "stay put," as he said.

"I missed you," Cobra said as the two of you sat in the abandoned and rebuilt church where you had first met. "so much."

"You're very straightforward, aren't you?" You joked. "But it has been a while. Almost thought you forgot about me."

"I tried." He said, staring at the floor. "I told myself I needed to focus on my missions, so I tried to forget you. But I couldn't because I still wanted to see you again." He paused before continuing. "You're really like some kind of disease, aren't you? You're always on my mind, in my head, and you won't go away."

"You're my poison."
"I'm your poison."

Both of your sentences were spoken at he same time, which made the both of you grin.

"I'm sure of it now." Cobra said suddenly, staring into your (e/c) eyes. "I love you."

"Took you long enough, dragon boy." You teased.

Cobra mumbled a "shut up" before leaning in and kissing you passionately on the lips.

An Hour Later

Crime Sorcière was sitting in a diner, having just ate dinner.

"So, what's the plan?" Midnight asked. "Do we stay here or keep moving?"

"I think we should keep moving." Jellal said, "The Council may come back and look for us here. I don't want to put these people at risk."

Everyone nodded at Jellal's statement, even Cobra. However, after nodding, Cobra's shoulders slumped down, showing his disappointment.

"But Cobra," Jellal spoke again. "you stay."

"Wha-" Cobra gasped. "Why me?"

"Because I know you care for (Y/N)."

"Yeah, I could tell by the way you looked at her when she saved us." Angel smirked, causing Cobra to blush at her statement. "And just now when Jellal said we were leaving, you looked like the world was going to end."

"Shut up, Angel." He grumbled.

"So it's decided, Cobra stays and we'll all go." Meredy said to confirm the plan. Everyone nodded in response, even Cobra.

After discussing the plan, the members of Crime Sorcière - excluding Cobra - prepared to leave Malba.

"Jellal, are you sure about this?" Cobra asked.

"Love is a precious thing." Jellal answered, "We're tainted with darkness which is why we can't be with those who walk in the light. That's why my love can't work. But yours can. (Y/N) is neither light not dark, she's neutral. Take a chance at love while you can."

Cobra simply nodded, not feeling the need to respond. He walked with his friends to the city limit before saying their final goodbyes.

"When were you going to tell me you were staying?" You asked, suddenly appearing behind him, directly on the city line (since you can't technically leave the city).

"You're always watching me anyways, so what's the point?" Cobra smirked, turning around to face you.

"Who said I was watching you?" You challenged, raising an eyebrow. "I'm a guardian. I watch over everyone in this city."

"And now that includes me."

"Especially you."

Now heading their separate ways, on separate journeys, the remaining members of Crime Sorcière continue in their search to find and defeat Zeref.

Whereas, Cobra stayed behind in Malba in order to create and build a relationship with you, his poison guardian.

It may have been three years, but like you promised, you two did see each other again.

And now, you would see each other every day.

Isn't that just amazing?